By: Charlie Hicks
Running away, like all other habits, is caused by improper and careless handling. It only takes three or four experiences of this kind to make a horse unsafe to drive, ride or work. The driver is never sure whether he will get back with the whole rig or not. This is not the only bad feature of having a runaway horse, for the driver never knows when he will be thrown out, in making a quick turn, or running over some sort of an obstruction and either badly shaken up, or, possibly crippled for life. I would rather risk my life behind a kicker or shyer any day, than behind a runaway before he has been properly subdued and with no means of control except the lines.
A great many runaway horses have had the most severe jaw-breaking bits used on them. Most drivers imagine that if they put a severe jaw-breaking bit on the runaway horse that they have a means of control. They continue in this belief until the horse becomes frightened or sees an opportunity to run off, and then, in spite of the action of the jaw-breaking bit, the horse runs away and smashes things to pieces. I have seen horses' tongues almost torn from the mouth, sometimes hanging by a very small piece of flesh or muscle, caused by the use of harsh bits, in the drivers' effort to restrain them.
There is only one way to overcome this habit and that is by a complete subjective treatment. You must overpower his strength and convince him that you have control of him even under excitement of any kind. However, you should never start to train a runaway horse without having one or two helpers on hand, as you will need them at practically every stage of the game.
According to Professor Beery “the treatment for a runaway is similar to that used in subduing a shyer. He should have racket made all over and around him, and anything he is liable to frighten at should be used about him and he should be drilled thoroughly on the commands “Whoa,” “Steady,” and “Get Up.” Be sure he is aware of the fact that struggle as he will, you have complete control over him, under any circumstances, and at any time.”
Special bridles can also be used to help train and dissuade a potential runaway, especially one that is not confirmed in the habit and has shown an inclination to run only once or twice. In a great number of cases all that is necessary is to compel him to stop at your will, and he will become so discouraged that he will give up the contest. The use of the Second Form War Bridle is usually sufficient to overcome the habit, if it is not fully developed. When a horse shows a desire to run, the driver, by a few quick jerks on the cord, gives the horse severe punishment across some of the nerves leading to the brain, and has him under control within a few feet from where he first started.
